‘Summer Nights’ tradition to continue

Southborough – The Southborough Summer Nights Committee recently announced that its Summer Nights festival is alive and well for 2009, thanks to the support of local businesses and organizations.

"We were afraid that this was going to be the year that we just couldn't make it happen," said Robin Martin, cochair of the Summer Nights Committee. "We knew that it would be difficul t t o as k loca l businesses for support in this economy, and we didn't want to pressure the supporters that have been so good to us in the past. We thought we might have to give up the fireworks display, at the least."

In the end, most past supporters were able to once again fund Summer Nights, which is the town's single largest annual community event. Bill Depietri of Capitol Group Properties has cosponsored the fireworks display since the event's inception and he has told the committee that he is on board again this year for the same donation. And the local nonprofit organization Friends of Southborough Recreation stepped up to fund the other half of the fireworks.

"This is exactly the kind of thing that we organized the Friends for," board members Melissa Shields and Jill Dratch said. "Our goal is to bring this community together through fun activities for families and children. We are delighted to be able to impact this event in such an important way."

In addition, Walgreens will be funding the live music at Summer Nights. Another new sponsor is Choice Car Wash of Boston Road, who has agreed to sponsor the Dunk Tank. Other annual sponsors include Southborough House of Pizza, Tomasso Trattoria and Italian Market, Fay School, Brendon Properties, Middlesex Savings Bank and St. Mary's Credit Union.

Summer Nights is now in its sixth year and includes inflatables, pony rides, a rockclimbing wall, dunk tank and bubble romp for the kids. The event is free and will be held Sunday Aug. 30 at 5:30 p.m. at the Neary School. The rain date is Monday Aug. 31.

For information about the event or to become a sponsor, contact Robin Martin at 508- 333-1221.